Music Pastor at a glance

North Central’s Music Pastor major will prepare you for your calling as a church leader who ministers through music. You’ll be surrounded by a vibrant Christian community that will encourage you and support you as you pursue your passion to praise God with spirit-filled spirit worship. North Central’s world-class music program, state-of-the-art facilities, and relationships with local churches will give you both real-world experience and invaluable connections. Plus, you’ll have opportunities to join one of our student-led worship teams.

What sets us apart

Scholarships

Audition to earn a Music Scholarship

The College of Fine Arts awards Music Scholarships up to $3,000 per year for students interested in pursuing their calling as a musician. Scholarships are awarded based on an audition, an interview, and 2 letters of recommendation. These awards aren’t need-based and are renewable for up to 4 years, provided you continue to meet the scholarship requirements.

State-of-the-art facilities

Gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art facilities

McPherson Studios is North Central’s state-of-the-art recording facility, featuring the latest equipment and technology including a Pro Tools HD system (loaded featuring McDSPand Antares plug-ins) with a Digidesign Control 24 interface, Genelec and Westlake monitors, and a wide selection of microphones and outboard equipment. Our Control Room is a great place to work with comfortable leather sofas and a warm atmosphere. The Studio A recording room is over 1200 square feet with enough room to record a choir, a big band, or an orchestra. Studio A also features a Yamaha grand piano with full MIDI capability. There are two additional rooms when isolation is needed for the session.

Artists who have recorded with us:

Sara Groves

Ben Gowell

Kristi Northrup

David Pedde

David Juve

Sovereign Grace Music Kids Project

Jeff Kerr and River Valley Worship Team

David Santisteven

Emmanuel Christian Center Youth Worship Team

World-class worship teams

JOIN ONE OF OUR HIGHLY-TALENTED PERFORMANCE GROUPS

North Central’s performance groups and ensembles are the real deal. From premiere touring performance group Worship Live, led by renowned singer/songwriter Jeff Deyo, to the multifaceted Festival Chorus, we offer opportunities for students of all interests and skill levels to get involved.

Here are some of the highlights:

Worship LiveWorship Live is North Central’s premiere touring performance group, and is composed of current students under the direction of singer/songwriter Jeff Deyo. Worship Live also serves as the primary worship team for our daily chapel services.

Concert ChoraleThe Concert Chorale is an ensemble of fifty singers and instrumentalists under the direction of Larry Bach. The Chorale has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, singing in churches, schools, and concert halls.

Festival ChorusThe Festival Chorus is a large ensemble made up of students with a range of experience levels and from a number of different majors.

Women’s ChoirThis chorus consists of selected female vocalists that minister in a variety of university and community events. This group is open to students by audition only.

Jazz WorkshopJazz Workshop is designed to facilitate instrumental improvisation through the study of various forms of jazz, popular, and world genres in a combo setting. The ensembles of Jazz Workshop perform at the Jazz at the Clay performance series, the NCU Jazz Concert, Songs of the Season, Partners for Progress, and a variety of city-wide opportunities. The NCU Fusion Ensemble, a part of the Jazz Workshop Ensembles, has been featured at the Eau Claire Jazz Festival.

Conducting lab—This class serves as the choir for the senior recitals of Music Pastor and Music Education majors.

Applied lessons—You’ll take music lessons in one major instrument and one minor instrument. You can choose from the following: piano, voice, guitar, drums, bass guitar, violin, flute, cello, saxophone, trumpet and french horn. Piano is the minor instrument for anyone who isn’t a piano major.

Theory Placement Exam—You’ll take the theory placement exam before you enter the Music Pastor program or register for classes.

Jury exams—You’ll take final jury exams at the end of each semester. At jury exams, you’ll perform pieces you’ve studied that semester.

Piano proficiency—You’ll be required to demonstrate piano proficiency by the end of your fourth semester of theory.

Entrance audition (for transfer students and sophomores)—If you’re transferring to North Central or at sophomore status you’ll complete an entrance audition.

Senior project/recital—All Music Pastor majors need to complete a half hour performance on their primary instrument as well as a half hour conducting recital to finish their degree. A junior recital will also be completed prior to approval for senior recital.

We want you to be well-rounded and well-prepared when you graduate, so you’ll have the opportunity to choose a minor or supporting program so you can explore another area of interest. Here are some possibilities:

"Every year, anything I did, any class, any leadership team, any worship team, somebody was pouring into me, investing into my life, and caring about me-not just to prepare me as a minister, but also to grow me as a person."

Watch the new Worship Live video, performed and recorded by NCU students and alumni!

Meet one of your professors

Contact

Vinnie Zarletti

Assistant Professor of Worship Arts

I am originally from Kenosha, WI (go Pack go!), and am married to my high school sweetheart (Justine). We have three amazing kids (Vinnie, Sofie, and Santino), and live in Princeton, MN (way north!). As a graduate of NCU (B.A. Music, 2002), I have had a love for the school for more than half of my life, and truly enjoy teaching here! Since graduating, I have served the local church in music ministry for over 12 years (serving in Orlando, FL and Princeton, MN). It has been my pleasure to lead people in worship through these years, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the next generation of worship leaders and music pastors here at NCU.

WHAT ARE YOUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE?

Worship Studies and Musical Worship Leadership in the Local Church

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TEACHING AT NORTH CENTRAL?

I love the culture of NCU and the impact that it has around the world. It is an honor to work with such incredible students!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE CLASSES TO TEACH?

Theology of Christian Worship (339). Worship is so much bigger than we think it is! This class helps us to connect to God’s Story and explore the truth that Christian worship leads us to the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit.